I just got a set of rear springs (4 leaf) from JC Whitney for my '64 Dart, and, before I get in way over my head, I was wondering what it takes to put these things in. What tools do you recommend, and are there any extra parts that I need to pick up before I get started? Obviously, I've never done this before, so it's safe to assume that I know nothing...

thanks,
josh

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64 Dart 170 /6

Is it rusty? Maybe you should start spraying it with WD-40 (or whatever) now. You probably already know how to loosen a stuck fastener. Don't keep forcing it! Spray it. Tighten it back down. Spray it again. Repeat. A little at a time. Don't be surprised if 4 leaves feels a little weak. Five are better.

Get a new set of U-bolts and nuts. They are cheap. Don't worry if you break one. Jack up the rear of the car and put it on jack stands. Loosen the shocks. Remove the u-bolts, and then jack up the rear and block it up some how. Then remove the bolts that hold the rear shackle mount to the frame. At this point the springs will be free to drop down. Remove the four bolts that hold the front spring perch to the frame, and pull each spring out of it';s mount in the body. Remove the large bolt that goes through the front eye, and remove the shackle. Install your new spring into the front mount reinstall the front bolt, and reinstall the rear shackles. Then reverse the process and put the springs back in. Front mount first, hook up axle, then raise all up to refasten rear shackle mounts. Then shocks. You must leave the axle in place through all this to avoid opening the brake system. I agee completely with DucDuc. Even a five leaf set was too weak for both of my Darts. I ended up putting a 6th leaf in. You can easily do this by saving your old top leaf, and inserting it in your new spring pack. Cut the front and rear eyes of with a hack saw. At the front cut off just the eye, and make it start just behind the new front eye. At the rear make it end half way between the rear shackle loop and the end of the second spring in the new pack. The added leaf will be the 2nd spring now, and the replacement set's 2nd spring will then be the third leaf down. Look around for sleaf spring bands. You might be able to find them in the Help section of your local auto parts store. Good luck.

Thanks guys, hopefully I can replace both the gas tank and the springs this weekend.

-josh

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64 Dart 170 /6

Getting out the rusty bolts is the hardest part. Don't forget a can of wd-40 or other pentrating oil. Let us know how it works out.

An airgun and beefy compressor does wonders for rusted U-bolts. If they are baked on and you are replacing them I wouldn't bother typical removal, take a hacksaw/sawzall/jigsaw to them and be careful you don't cut into an axle tube. You could also use a nut splitter, remove all the nuts and take the U-bolts out whole.

Well, i got a question about u-bolts, where can you find them for 2 1/2" casing like for the 7 1/4? I ordered some from summit but i got some 3" ones...
And by the way, are all a-body (/e-body?) leaf springs the same?

Thanks

Marc

I went to my local NAPA store and got the u-bolts, took a day for them to get them in.

Brian

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Flyin' Brian

74 Duster, 225, rear-mounted blow through turbo at 12psi boost, street/strip car
"Sixy Beast"

What about summit? Does anyone have a P/N? I can't order through NAPA, I'm not in the US...